12 Games for Kids to Play Alone

Solo Ball Skills

Does your child play basketball or soccer? They do not need teammates to practice skills. Shooting baskets is a great way for kids to play alone. So is practicing soccer skills like dribbling or shooting on goal.

If you have a rebounding net, kids don't need a partner to play catch with a football or baseball, either. Also, a pitching machine is an inexpensive way for kids to put in some extra baseball practice.

The 7-Up Game

All your child needs is a ball and some open space for this classic, active game. It challenges them to master increasingly complex skills. It's a great outdoor game or it can be played in your basement, garage, or anywhere that doesn't have breakables.

Racket Sports

Yes, tennis and badminton can be games for kids to play alone! They can volley tennis balls off a wall, bounce them on the ground with the racket, or bounce balls and birdies up from a racquet held horizontally.

How many can they get in a row? Can they top their personal best? Skill drills like these are a great way to hone hand-eye coordination, which is important in kids' learning and development.

Hula Hoop

Kids can practice hula hooping indoors or out. Challenge them to count how many revolutions they can do or how long they can keep the hoop spinning without dropping it.

Watch a few hula hooping videos online so your child can see what kinds of tricks are possible, too. For instance, they can try to master the technique of working the hoop from the hips to the neck and back down.

Dancing

Did you ever hear the expression, "dance like no one's watching"? Many people are nervous about dancing in public, but you can encourage your child to dance alone and work on some confidence-building skills.

All it takes is music. You can also use games, such as Just Dance, or online videos, like Zumba classes. These can help kids build a repertoire of moves.

Going for a Ride

Encouraging your child to go on a bike or scooter ride is a perfect solo activity. You will need to set boundaries and make sure kids know and obey safety rules before they set out.

Art Projects

Art and craft projects can keep kids busy for hours. If your child has a creative streak, give them some supplies and let them explore their imagination. A larger mural or a 3-D sculpture offers both fine- and large-motor physical activity along with creative expression.

Exergames

While you don't want your child to spend all their playtime in front of a screen, setting them up with motion-controlled video games will definitely get them moving. It may even inspire activity away from the TV.

Digging and Building

Got dirt, sand, or snow in the yard? Equip your child with some simple tools like shovels, pails, and maybe a few molds and let them dig and build to their heart's content. It's easy to spend hours crafting a castle, a roadway, a snow creature, or even a flower garden.

Solo Balloon Volleyball

Volleyball is usually a team sport, but it's a lot of fun for one, too. All you need is a balloon and (with a few boundaries set) it can be an indoor game.

Set up a ribbon to act as a net and blow up a balloon for a ball. Then challenge your child to play volleyball—on both sides of the net! They must hit the balloon up and over the ribbon, then scoot under to hit it from the other side, and so on until the balloon wafts to the ground.

Sidewalk Chalk Games

On a sunny day, a tub of sidewalk chalk can keep kids busy for a long time. They can use the chalk to make hopscotch, mazes, obstacle courses, and much more. You might even show them photos of amazing sidewalk chalk art by professional artists to inspire their own artwork.